While today’s NBA analysis often emphasizes advanced stats, we shouldn’t overlook the game’s ultimate goal: scoring points.
There’s a balance here, though. We also need to avoid the trap of thinking “buckets equal impact.”
For example, in 2024-25, Brooklyn Nets gunner Cam Thomas averaged the same number of points (24.0) as Donovan Mitchell. And nobody would ever trade Mitchell for Thomas straight up.
Here, we’ll predict the top 10 scorers in the league for the upcoming campaign. We’ll exclude players unlikely to meet the 58 games required to qualify for a scoring title (so long, Joel Embiid and Zion Williamson), and we’ll also consider aging curves (farewell, LeBron James and Kevin Durant).
The result is a list made up of rising superstars and established bucket-getters, most of whom will probably generate some MVP buzz.
Maybe buckets equal impact after all.